Christmas in the spring is getting closer for the Starkville High School football program.

By the end of April or early May, the Yellowjackets are hoping to be moved into the new field house that is being constructed next to their home football stadium.

SHS football coach Jamie Mitchell said the major part of the work has been completed and work is being just to put the finishing touches on the field house.

"They are close," Mitchell said. "It's coming together really nice."

Included in the field house will be a larger film room than the Jackets have now, plus a new weight room, a newer and larger locker room area, updated and modernized coaches offices and a much-improved equipment room.

"Some people wouldn't understand that (an equipment room was needed), but we're going to be able to have all of our equipment in one location," Mitchell said.

Mitchell said the most important thing about the field house is the location. It's right at the stadium and very close to the practice field.

"It's been a trek every day going to walk to practice and back," Mitchell said. "We'll have a place to go on Friday night at halftime and before games. It will be really special."

Fundraisers have been established to help in the cost of the field house.
The SHS program just completed a two-day football camp, and the process continues with a raffle and the search for cooperate sponsors.

With the raffle, 300 tickets are being sold for $50 each. For the first and every 25th ticket that's pulled, there will be a $100 cash prize and the last ticket that's pulled, the 300th, the winner gets $3,000.

Anyone interested in purchasing a ticket can contact Mitchell at 901-491-6040.

"We'll get them fixed up for as many as they'll buy," Mitchell said. "Those are going really good and we want to get rid of every one of them so that's a big deal for us."

As far as cooperate sponsors, Mitchell has been trying to identify businesses in the community that may be interested in contributing to the purchase of weight equipment.

Mitchell likes the positive things taking place at SHS, coming off last season's appearance in the Class 5A State Championship game.

"We've got a lot of things going in the right direction with our field house," Mitchell said. "We had a good turnout for our camp and we're real excited about that and having Antuan (Edwards) back was great."